Nissan Maxima (2023)

TheTopher is moderately positive about the 2023 Nissan Maxima, but its sporty promise leaves him unconvinced. He enjoys the naturally aspirated 300-hp V6, attractive styling, comfortable cabin, strong Bose audio, useful space, and surprisingly agile SR chassis. The heated-and-cooled seat controls, physical controls, adaptive cruise, and standard spare tire also add character. Still, inconsistent hydroelectric steering, wet-weather understeer, modest tire grip, dated infotainment, stiff ride, and especially the CVT undermine the experience. He views it as a pleasant daily sedan with genuine strengths, yet believes Nissan should have given this final-year Maxima a proper automatic transmission and sharper enthusiast focus.

Joe Raiti is warmly impressed by the 2023 Nissan Maxima, though he stops short of calling it a true sports sedan. He praises its distinctive styling, upscale Platinum cabin, comfortable heated and ventilated seats, roomy rear quarters, useful trunk, and smooth 300-hp naturally aspirated V6. However, the CVT feels disconnected, steering feedback is vague, and front-wheel drive makes it less nimble and engaging than the Genesis G70 or Kia Stinger GT. His larger takeaway is wistful: with a rear-wheel-drive platform and better transmission, the Maxima could have been a standout. As it stands, it’s a comfortable, unique, compelling final-year sedan rather than the four-door sports car Nissan claims.

Gold Pony is warmly positive about the 2023 Nissan Maxima, calling it quick, comfortable, and impressively well equipped for a final-year sedan. The 300-hp V6 delivers strong acceleration, braking is excellent, the sport-tuned SR rides better than expected, and the cabin feels convincingly upscale, with useful touches like a CD player, standard navigation, and a strong Bose sound system. He enjoys the styling and safety credentials, though he criticizes the CVT’s emotionless response, somewhat loose steering, imperfect seat comfort, and lack of a fully digital gauge cluster. Overall, he sees it as a compelling last-chance purchase.

Bros FOURR Speed is warmly positive about the 2023 Nissan Maxima, though unconvinced by its price. He praises the smooth, quiet ride, strong 300-hp V6, surprisingly agreeable CVT, premium leather interior, comfort, visibility, and roomy back seat. The Platinum feels more upscale than similarly priced Toyotas, with thoughtful materials and amenities. Still, front-wheel drive, aging technology, and the CVT limit its appeal, while $46,500 brings tempting alternatives such as a Toyota Avalon, cheaper Altima, or used Audi S4/BMW performance sedan. Overall, it’s a polished, comfortable sedan, but a difficult value proposition.

Ben Hardy is clearly impressed by the 2023 Nissan Maxima SR. He praises its handsome styling, upscale orange-stitched interior, comfortable and spacious cabin, strong 300-hp V6, responsive paddle shifters, and surprisingly capable ride over rough tracks. He views it as an “economy luxury” alternative to cars like the Toyota Avalon and considers it a genuinely good overall package. His main reservation is the Xtronic CVT: it performs reasonably well but still feels like a CVT, and he believes a conventional nine-speed automatic would better suit the Maxima’s performance-oriented character.

Nothin’ But Car Reviews is highly enthusiastic about the 2023 Nissan Maxima SR. The reviewer loves its distinctive styling, upscale Alcantara-and-leather cabin, strong 300-hp V6, and unusually responsive CVT, calling it the most enjoyable Nissan CVT he has driven and nearly a “baby GT-R.” The Sport mode and paddle shifters add genuine fun, while the technology and comfort features feel generous. Still, the ride can be harsh on cold tires, road noise is noticeable, and rear-seat headroom and legroom are tight for tall passengers.

Will from W.T.F. Car Reviews is highly enthusiastic about the 2023 Nissan Maxima Platinum. He considers it an exceptional value, praising its quick 300-hp V6, surprisingly good sound, upscale quilted-leather cabin, strong equipment, comfort, and engaging hydraulic steering. The Maxima feels more like an affordable luxury sport sedan than a mainstream family car, with impressive acceleration and grip despite some body roll. Still, he criticizes the long-geared CVT, front-wheel-drive traction limits, mediocre camera resolution, tighter rear space than the Altima, and disappointing nighttime filming conditions. Overall, he strongly recommends buying this distinctive final-year sedan while available.

Matt The Carguy is warmly impressed by the 2023 Nissan Maxima SR, especially its confident handling and satisfying 300-hp V6 growl. He prefers the SR’s sporty styling, steering wheel, Alcantara-trimmed seats, panoramic roof, and near-Platinum equipment, calling it his pick. The Maxima feels well put together, comfortable over bumps, and more engaging than its CVT suggests, though the aging infotainment, mediocre 360-degree camera, wired smartphone integration, absent wireless charger, limited rear space, and $38,000-plus pricing temper the appeal. Overall, he views it as a fitting, enjoyable farewell to Nissan’s distinctive large sedan.

Cars Unlocked is positive about the 2023 Nissan Maxima, especially its lively 300-hp V6 and more upscale, sporty character. Compared with the cheaper Altima, the Maxima feels heavier, stiffer, and more enjoyable to drive, with nicer leather-and-Alcantara seating, dual sunroofs, 19-inch wheels, and available surround-view monitoring. However, its front-wheel-drive-only layout, lower fuel economy, tighter rear seat, smaller trunk, wired Apple CarPlay, and much higher price weaken its value. The reviewer ultimately chooses the Altima for affordability, efficiency, technology, and all-wheel drive, while viewing the Maxima as the enthusiast’s more exciting but less practical option.

Morty is genuinely positive about the 2023 Nissan Maxima, calling it a comfortable, practical, quick daily driver. He enjoys its 300-hp V6, smooth ride, responsive acceleration, fuel efficiency, upscale leather-and-aluminum interior, Bose audio, adaptive cruise control, and useful parking sensors. His enthusiasm is tempered by the front-wheel-drive layout, fake exhaust tips, aging infotainment, and Nissan’s questionable CVT reputation. He also jokes extensively about Maxima driver stereotypes, but distinguishes this clean, well-maintained example from poorly driven ones. Overall, he sees the Maxima SL as an affordable, refined sedan with sporty pretensions rather than a true sports car.